Shiva and Shakti

Shiva and Shakti are not two; they are just inseparable. They are complementary aspect of the same divine being. Understanding them as separate being like a man and woman doesn’t sufficiently explain the idea.

Shiva and Shakti are just like body and soul; identified as two and still are just one. Body is the doer of actions; it executes what the soul desires, it consumes and utilizes the energy. It’s all powerful in presence of the soul. Soul, on the other hand is inert. It Can’t do anything without the body or the energy of the body. Yet it is the soul that makes the body do whatever it wants. Soul without body will fail to do anything; body without soul has nothing to do. Shiva is the soul; its inert and dormant without the soul. Shakti is the body; its the doer of action. The body (Shakti) does what the soul (Shiva) wishes.. Shakti gives expression to the Shiva the way body gives expression to body.

Shiva and Shakti is together like an ocean. Shiva is the still water; shakti the wave. Without water there can be no wave. Without wave it will be just a still water . Together Shakti and Shiva is ocean.

Shiva is the transcendental supreme being; Shakti is the manisfested aspect. They are one. Thats it.

Adi Shankaracharya, has very clearly mentioned this aspect in the very first paragraph of Saundarya Laheri which goes like this:

शिवः शक्त्या युक्तो यदि भवति शक्तः प्रभवितुवं

न चेदेवं देवो न खलु सुशलः स्पन्दितुमपि।

अतस्त्वामाराध्यां हरिहरविरिचादिभिरपि

प्रणंतुं स्तोतुं वा कथमकृतपुण्यः प्रभवति ॥1॥

Lord Shiva, only becomes able. To do creation in this world along with Shakthi Without her, Even an inch he cannot move, And so how can, one who does not do good deeds, Or one who does not sing your praise, Become adequate to worship you Oh , goddess mine, Who is worshipped by the trinity.
It may be noted that when trinity hails a supreme being and worship – they essentially do it to Shiva and the Shakti as one and not as separate being.